Cattle Numbers Down at Some Australian Markets

AUSTRALIA - Cattle supplies were down dramatically at some Australian markets last week, report Meat and Livestock Australia analysts.
calendar icon 18 March 2015
clock icon 2 minute read
Meat & Livestock Australia

Throughput at Roma Prime declined 14 per cent week-on-week to 1,127 head, with local cows making up the majority. Grown steers and heifers were limited but sold to a dearer trend. All the usual export processors were present and operating.

Grown steers and bullocks sold from 205¢ to 223¢, with most lines up 10-30¢/kg on last week. Medium weight cows improved 3-5¢ week-on-week, with D3 lines averaging 169¢, while heavy cows finished close to firm, with D4 lines averaging 182¢/kg.

Dubbo yarded 5,620 head, up 10 per cent week-on-week, with a large portion consisting of drought affected cattle from the far west. Two export processors returned to the usual buying panel. Heavy C3 yearling steers to feeder buyers eased 2¢, averaging 238¢ and selling to a top of 259¢, while medium C3 yearling heifers to the same orders improved 2¢, averaging 207¢/kg. Heavy C4 grown steers to slaughter jumped 9¢, averaging 224¢, while heavy D4 cows eased 2¢, averaging 180¢/kg.

Numbers at Bairnsdale almost halved to 542¢, following last week’s softer market. Young cattle sold to a mixed trend while grown cattle averaged firm to dearer. Heavy D3 yearling heifers to the trade improved 5¢, averaging 216¢ and selling to 223¢/kg. To slaughter, D3 bullocks increased 2¢, averaging 220¢, while medium D2 manufacturing dairy steers improved 5¢, averaging 188¢/kg. Heavy D3 cows averaged 182¢, up 1¢/kg week-on-week.

At the close of Thursday’s markets, the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) was back 2¢ on the previous day, finishing at 425.00¢/kg cwt. Trade steers eased 1¢ to 232¢ while medium steers improved 1¢ to 212¢/kg. Heavy steers jumped 7¢ to 222¢ while feeder steers eased 2¢ to 234¢/kg. Medium cows averaged 164¢, up 1¢/kg.

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